Post by Havoc on Nov 23, 2011 3:06:06 GMT -5
More stuff to whine about!
CHAOS
Hello all, I just thought I’d share my sort-of discussions regarding a future Chaos Codex with two members of the development team at yesterday’s Games Day ‘event’.
Basically, I spoke to Jervis Johnson (head designer, apparently) and Matt Ward (yeah, I know, I know…). Now, I could have ranted at them with four years of hatred towards our lack-lustre Codex, but I thought it would be more productive (and less antagonistic) if I approached them with a friendly smile (well, what pass as one from me ) and my own personal thoughts/desires on our next Codex.
In a nutshell, more options regarding things like vehicles, specifically variants of Rhinos and Land Raiders – I said that the reasons for restricting the loyalist Marines with what they can do to theirs don’t apply to Chaos (we don’t have angry Tech Priests after us), so if we want to, say, put Assault Ramps on our Rhinos, there’s no one to stop us!
I also tried to get across that Chaos Marine armies (whether you go for Renegades or Legions) can broadly fit in to two approaches which could shape the development of this Codex – firstly the ‘Black Crusade’, which is about throwing the full force of what your army/legion does best till you opponent has nothing standing (I guess this could include your World Eaters Berzerker assault force, or an Iron Warriors siege force, or the relentless march of the Death Guard). The second approach is the Cultist/Ambush/Terror approach – the one where you don’t have the resources for a full scale invasion, but you’ve already sent your agents (be they infiltrating Marines or Cultists) to defeat your enemy before they’ve even realised they’re at war – assassinating commanders, sabotaging and destroying tanks, that sort of thing (obviously, this is your Night Lords, Alpha Legion, perhaps Word Bearers army). Either way, whichever approach should still allow themed, or Legion based lists, if that’s what Chaos players wanted
In my conversations with both Jervis and Matt, I started off saying that I’d like to see Special Characters that add army wide abilities, which got very strong nods of understanding from both of them. The problem I immediately hit was that they both pretty much said that they’re not going to be involved with the development of Chaos Marines; Jervis said that he would pass on my comments thought (whether he does is another thing!).
You may find Matt Ward’s response more interesting: he basically said blatantly that he was not going to be working on Chaos. Yes, that’s right, you can all breathe a sigh of relief! Then, more interestingly, he looked around for the other member of the team at Games Day, who was absent every time I went to the developers’ area, but would have liked to speak to – a certain Mr Phil Kelly. Now, (cue wild speculation) judging by this, I got the strong impression that Phil Kelly is likely to be involved in the development – perhaps even writing it?
That was the only serious nugget that I found of comfort from Jervis or Matt Ward to be honest. They both talked about there being a lot of potential with Chaos Marines that a future codex could build upon. Matt Ward went further, basically saying in so many words that he realised the Chaos codex is disliked and that it didn’t really achieve what the later, more recent Codices have. He also said that the Codices from Space Wolves onwards should give more of the shape of a Chaos Marine Codex, in terms of increased amount of options. Hopefully, like some Codices, that means under-priced/over powered (delete as appropriate ) units like these other ones, too He also said about the current Chaos Codex that it offers a good basis from which to start developing a new one. Not sure I agree with him, but I’m hoping he means that it is something that can be expanded and improved upon, rather than just recycling it…
So, I had gone to Games Day with the intention of getting in to a really intense discussion about giving Chaos a codex of which it is worthy. I think I didn’t really speak to the right people for that (if only I’d have been able to find Phil Kelly!), so I think ultimately I got some insubstantial platitudes. I was heartened that a) Matt Ward won’t be writing the next Chaos Codex, and b ) there was the suggestion that Phil Kelly is at the very least going to be involved in the development of our next codex.
To quickly add. will lesser chaos gods feture. yes
n all of the fallen legions will be there
Via Schell
Chaos seems to be coming out around the new 40k rule book, which is rumoured for release next summer.
I believe someone started a rumour a couple of months ago, cannot remember who, stating that chaos would be the first (hardback???) release for the new rulebook.
The starter set(s) are Chaos and Dark Angels; this was the original rumour; however, this was quickly trashed by saying that Dark Angels would NOT be in the starter set. Chaos does seem to be there though.
Apparently Imperial Guard renegade armies will be a part of the Chaos release.
theDarkGeneral wrote:I'm glad ghost21 was able to confirm my early reply about Warsmiths and Dark Apostles, and World Eaters w/Bolters...Here's more tidbits over a few shots of bourbon and some cigars...
*Chaos Dreads: No longer crazed or deranged, and new plastic (FINALLY) sprue to incorporate some new/old dreadnought close combat weapons types (chainfist, thunderhammer, power scourge, etc.)...but i'm more excited about being able to have Marked Dreads!!!
*Assault Berzerkers! Finally, Berzerkers with jump packs counting as Fast Attack!
*Slaughterfiends from Apoc will make their way into the Codex, along with versions for "Marked" type ones for other Legions.
*HQs making a return (lil' salt): Droomrider, Doombreed, Cypher , along with 5 newish guys.
*Unit size changes: Oblitz can come in up to 4, while most Daemon Engines can be 3 for 1...
*New Landraider: So we no longer have to suffer with just the old crumby one, has a higher capacity (15?) but is more of "warped" version of one of the Imperial versions.
*Force Org Chart: As ghost21 has alluded to, it won't change according to your Legion (HQs) as in swapping more Heavies for less Fast, but your access to units in those categories opens up, becomes limited, or closes off accordingly. Easy example I was given, is taking Khorne Daemon Prince means no Scouts...
(...)
I mean there is to be a "scout unit", but no associated with the World Eaters.
And as Brother Dimetrius has already mentioned, Cypher indeed was a Chaos model, and appeared in at least one of our previous Codexes. Could that mean a hint at Dark Angels around the bend? I think that'd be very cool, especially considering they are the FIRST Legion...
*Nightlords: I don't ask much about them, though a lil' i have for my buddy Paul has around 25,000+ points of them...Hit & Run and Stealth for universal special rules, but possible counter attack (for elite unit) as well as jump pack troops.
*Possessed: FINALLY getting some love, and according to Legion, they will have upgrades either already included or that you can pay for.
*Word Bearers: Apparently getting a lil' extra attention, and besides Dark Apostles, new models for "daemonancers", which just might be unit champs/sgt upgrades. I'm not sure. BUT, their summoning of Daemons from the Warp apparently allows re-rolls on the scatter dice, as well as new mishap chart!
*Deathguard: Feel no pain and blight grenades for their Cult Terminators, new nasty flamers upgrades.
*Thousand Sons: AP3 bolters will be MUCH more useful under 6th Edition, and a couple new Psychic abilities, one of which (supposedly) can remove an entire enemy squad from the table on a failed stat test!
*Iron Warriors: Access to Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield termies, thunderfire cannon off-shoot, Havocs w/Tank Hunters and relentless for some squad...
*Emperor's Children: Lash is finally changed to be more in line with Daemon version. More heavy weapons upgrade count for larger units. Better Bikes? Not sure what that means...
*Alpha Legion: Lots of infiltrating abilities, outflanking, and even temporary control of enemy squads/vehicles...basically sneaky bastards!
*Black Legion: HQs allow broader access to all unit types, but lack of better universal special rules.
(...)
To think their won't be drawbacks...wait, what are the drawbacks to playing Space Wolves or Grey Knights?....
I don't recall either ghost21 or myself mentioning any such thing...thus far just the wanted positives have been posted.
Rage? Modified by LD tests...which are/can be modified by characters and or enemy models within "X" vicinity.
Arrogance...newish rule (with a different name), which is almost like looking down upon a foe and not wishing to fight...or tactically fall back.
Target Armor Priority...how hard will it be for certain Havoc squads to NOT shoot the Devilfish behind the Crisis Battlesuites?
There WON'T be Force Org Chart slots exchanged for another...but access to units from Force Org Chart will be modified according to HQs...
TAU
CHAOS
-i really really shouldnt but, ive only seen a dreadnaught of the two mentioned (regarding a previous report of new plastic Chaos Dread and Raptors)
-To quickly add. will lesser chaos gods feture. yes n all of the fallen legions will be there
-saw preliminary types for khonate chrono gladiators... and a really bizarre night lord assassin type thing...
-oh im sure if people want a new abaddon.. i saw one but really it isnt much...
-little horus on the other hand... now there's a wow figure
-there was a little heated discussion weather alpha legion should be in this or the traitors dex... there in the legion dex
-the new abaddon as really it just seems bigger n bulkier, like somebody 3d scanned it n made him larger
-the minor chaos gods are already named, its like marks though, no daemons
-i did see a dark mechanicus guy... not sure if he will make it though, a very creepy sculpt based on a john Blanche piece
-this is really something to be taken with a grain of salt there may may be a 30k boxed set at some point, containing one of each of the legions
characters
-To quickly add. will lesser chaos gods feture. yes n all of the fallen legions will be there
-saw preliminary types for khonate chrono gladiators... and a really bizarre night lord assassin type thing...
-oh im sure if people want a new abaddon.. i saw one but really it isnt much...
-little horus on the other hand... now there's a wow figure
-there was a little heated discussion weather alpha legion should be in this or the traitors dex... there in the legion dex
-the new abaddon as really it just seems bigger n bulkier, like somebody 3d scanned it n made him larger
-the minor chaos gods are already named, its like marks though, no daemons
-i did see a dark mechanicus guy... not sure if he will make it though, a very creepy sculpt based on a john Blanche piece
-this is really something to be taken with a grain of salt there may may be a 30k boxed set at some point, containing one of each of the legions
characters
Hello all, I just thought I’d share my sort-of discussions regarding a future Chaos Codex with two members of the development team at yesterday’s Games Day ‘event’.
Basically, I spoke to Jervis Johnson (head designer, apparently) and Matt Ward (yeah, I know, I know…). Now, I could have ranted at them with four years of hatred towards our lack-lustre Codex, but I thought it would be more productive (and less antagonistic) if I approached them with a friendly smile (well, what pass as one from me ) and my own personal thoughts/desires on our next Codex.
In a nutshell, more options regarding things like vehicles, specifically variants of Rhinos and Land Raiders – I said that the reasons for restricting the loyalist Marines with what they can do to theirs don’t apply to Chaos (we don’t have angry Tech Priests after us), so if we want to, say, put Assault Ramps on our Rhinos, there’s no one to stop us!
I also tried to get across that Chaos Marine armies (whether you go for Renegades or Legions) can broadly fit in to two approaches which could shape the development of this Codex – firstly the ‘Black Crusade’, which is about throwing the full force of what your army/legion does best till you opponent has nothing standing (I guess this could include your World Eaters Berzerker assault force, or an Iron Warriors siege force, or the relentless march of the Death Guard). The second approach is the Cultist/Ambush/Terror approach – the one where you don’t have the resources for a full scale invasion, but you’ve already sent your agents (be they infiltrating Marines or Cultists) to defeat your enemy before they’ve even realised they’re at war – assassinating commanders, sabotaging and destroying tanks, that sort of thing (obviously, this is your Night Lords, Alpha Legion, perhaps Word Bearers army). Either way, whichever approach should still allow themed, or Legion based lists, if that’s what Chaos players wanted
In my conversations with both Jervis and Matt, I started off saying that I’d like to see Special Characters that add army wide abilities, which got very strong nods of understanding from both of them. The problem I immediately hit was that they both pretty much said that they’re not going to be involved with the development of Chaos Marines; Jervis said that he would pass on my comments thought (whether he does is another thing!).
You may find Matt Ward’s response more interesting: he basically said blatantly that he was not going to be working on Chaos. Yes, that’s right, you can all breathe a sigh of relief! Then, more interestingly, he looked around for the other member of the team at Games Day, who was absent every time I went to the developers’ area, but would have liked to speak to – a certain Mr Phil Kelly. Now, (cue wild speculation) judging by this, I got the strong impression that Phil Kelly is likely to be involved in the development – perhaps even writing it?
That was the only serious nugget that I found of comfort from Jervis or Matt Ward to be honest. They both talked about there being a lot of potential with Chaos Marines that a future codex could build upon. Matt Ward went further, basically saying in so many words that he realised the Chaos codex is disliked and that it didn’t really achieve what the later, more recent Codices have. He also said that the Codices from Space Wolves onwards should give more of the shape of a Chaos Marine Codex, in terms of increased amount of options. Hopefully, like some Codices, that means under-priced/over powered (delete as appropriate ) units like these other ones, too He also said about the current Chaos Codex that it offers a good basis from which to start developing a new one. Not sure I agree with him, but I’m hoping he means that it is something that can be expanded and improved upon, rather than just recycling it…
So, I had gone to Games Day with the intention of getting in to a really intense discussion about giving Chaos a codex of which it is worthy. I think I didn’t really speak to the right people for that (if only I’d have been able to find Phil Kelly!), so I think ultimately I got some insubstantial platitudes. I was heartened that a) Matt Ward won’t be writing the next Chaos Codex, and b ) there was the suggestion that Phil Kelly is at the very least going to be involved in the development of our next codex.
To quickly add. will lesser chaos gods feture. yes
n all of the fallen legions will be there
if you want plastic plague bearers .. wait for the 6th ed starter
Via Schell
Chaos seems to be coming out around the new 40k rule book, which is rumoured for release next summer.
I believe someone started a rumour a couple of months ago, cannot remember who, stating that chaos would be the first (hardback???) release for the new rulebook.
The starter set(s) are Chaos and Dark Angels; this was the original rumour; however, this was quickly trashed by saying that Dark Angels would NOT be in the starter set. Chaos does seem to be there though.
Apparently Imperial Guard renegade armies will be a part of the Chaos release.
ghost21 wrote:Okay, time to end the what-ifs:
There will be 3 Chaos dexes as far as I'm aware: Legions, Renegades and Daemons
Now Daemons will appear in the Legion Codex but not those awful lesser things they are now. I'm not sure about greater daemons. However, if you are doing a Legion list, it's based on "Black legion(or the generic list)" or one of the others.
Legions:
Whats there ? Lots!
World Eaters with bolt guns you say? Yeah, they're there.
Expect very powerful characters here (they are 10 Milena old). My favorite is the overpowered red angel: Now he IS angry!
I'll do the others, if people wish.
There will be 3 Chaos dexes as far as I'm aware: Legions, Renegades and Daemons
Now Daemons will appear in the Legion Codex but not those awful lesser things they are now. I'm not sure about greater daemons. However, if you are doing a Legion list, it's based on "Black legion(or the generic list)" or one of the others.
Legions:
Whats there ? Lots!
World Eaters with bolt guns you say? Yeah, they're there.
Expect very powerful characters here (they are 10 Milena old). My favorite is the overpowered red angel: Now he IS angry!
I'll do the others, if people wish.
theDarkGeneral wrote:I'm glad ghost21 was able to confirm my early reply about Warsmiths and Dark Apostles, and World Eaters w/Bolters...Here's more tidbits over a few shots of bourbon and some cigars...
*Chaos Dreads: No longer crazed or deranged, and new plastic (FINALLY) sprue to incorporate some new/old dreadnought close combat weapons types (chainfist, thunderhammer, power scourge, etc.)...but i'm more excited about being able to have Marked Dreads!!!
*Assault Berzerkers! Finally, Berzerkers with jump packs counting as Fast Attack!
*Slaughterfiends from Apoc will make their way into the Codex, along with versions for "Marked" type ones for other Legions.
*HQs making a return (lil' salt): Droomrider, Doombreed, Cypher , along with 5 newish guys.
*Unit size changes: Oblitz can come in up to 4, while most Daemon Engines can be 3 for 1...
*New Landraider: So we no longer have to suffer with just the old crumby one, has a higher capacity (15?) but is more of "warped" version of one of the Imperial versions.
*Force Org Chart: As ghost21 has alluded to, it won't change according to your Legion (HQs) as in swapping more Heavies for less Fast, but your access to units in those categories opens up, becomes limited, or closes off accordingly. Easy example I was given, is taking Khorne Daemon Prince means no Scouts...
(...)
I mean there is to be a "scout unit", but no associated with the World Eaters.
And as Brother Dimetrius has already mentioned, Cypher indeed was a Chaos model, and appeared in at least one of our previous Codexes. Could that mean a hint at Dark Angels around the bend? I think that'd be very cool, especially considering they are the FIRST Legion...
*Nightlords: I don't ask much about them, though a lil' i have for my buddy Paul has around 25,000+ points of them...Hit & Run and Stealth for universal special rules, but possible counter attack (for elite unit) as well as jump pack troops.
*Possessed: FINALLY getting some love, and according to Legion, they will have upgrades either already included or that you can pay for.
*Word Bearers: Apparently getting a lil' extra attention, and besides Dark Apostles, new models for "daemonancers", which just might be unit champs/sgt upgrades. I'm not sure. BUT, their summoning of Daemons from the Warp apparently allows re-rolls on the scatter dice, as well as new mishap chart!
*Deathguard: Feel no pain and blight grenades for their Cult Terminators, new nasty flamers upgrades.
*Thousand Sons: AP3 bolters will be MUCH more useful under 6th Edition, and a couple new Psychic abilities, one of which (supposedly) can remove an entire enemy squad from the table on a failed stat test!
*Iron Warriors: Access to Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield termies, thunderfire cannon off-shoot, Havocs w/Tank Hunters and relentless for some squad...
*Emperor's Children: Lash is finally changed to be more in line with Daemon version. More heavy weapons upgrade count for larger units. Better Bikes? Not sure what that means...
*Alpha Legion: Lots of infiltrating abilities, outflanking, and even temporary control of enemy squads/vehicles...basically sneaky bastards!
*Black Legion: HQs allow broader access to all unit types, but lack of better universal special rules.
(...)
To think their won't be drawbacks...wait, what are the drawbacks to playing Space Wolves or Grey Knights?....
I don't recall either ghost21 or myself mentioning any such thing...thus far just the wanted positives have been posted.
Rage? Modified by LD tests...which are/can be modified by characters and or enemy models within "X" vicinity.
Arrogance...newish rule (with a different name), which is almost like looking down upon a foe and not wishing to fight...or tactically fall back.
Target Armor Priority...how hard will it be for certain Havoc squads to NOT shoot the Devilfish behind the Crisis Battlesuites?
There WON'T be Force Org Chart slots exchanged for another...but access to units from Force Org Chart will be modified according to HQs...
TAU
From Stick monkey, September last year.
New Heavy support platform. Basically immobile deep striked! heavy weapon and crew. Rail and Ion Cannon, and missile launcher are all obvious options here, but nothing solid with the rumor. Assault Skimmer. Something between size of piranha and hammerhead, fast skimmer open topped, assault on disembark.
Update: Yes, its assault after a flat out move, and has the "drop troops along path" option similar to the storm raven. its supposedly a dedicated transport option for one new unit. (I dont place faith in this last bit, its very rare in current GW systems to see a vehicle kit limited to one unit/role...if GW is trying to sell them they will be available to more than one unit, or be a separate entry unto itself.)
New Drop ship. Not the FW one, but something new. Holds a boatload of fire warriors, or a few battle suits.
New battle suits. Not sure if these are the "next gen" suits or just heavy suits redone with out metal bits.
Also Cypher on Heresy compiled a round-up of the Tau rumours as of April this year
Penciled in release date of August 2011
All current metal sets to be plastic (Pathfinders, Krootox, Vespids). New plastics are completed for Crisis Suits, Stingwings and Pathfinders.
Plastic Barracuda as well as a new unit choice, which will be a new alien race (insert your fantasy here).
Battle Suits - plug and play system. Essentially streamlined. Pick two guns and a skill or two skills and a gun. New models with interchangeable arms similar to Killa Kans?
Rule Changes
HQ and Troops
HQ choices are used to unlock units for troops, so a commander in a Crisis Suit unlocks Crisis Suits as troops, an Etheral unlocks Fire Warriors, Shaper unlocks Kroot.
Crisis Suits
Mostly same stats but now 3 wounds, come with every gun option and you can choose what weapon systems you fire every round. Max squad size x 5
Broadsides
Can take Network Markerlights instead of the missiles on their arms
Hammerhead Railgun
Draws a line across the table hitting everything under it. Multiple penetration through vehicles, only stopped by a glancing hit.
Shield Generator
Only team leaders can take a shield generator. The shield generator functions exactly like the DE Shadowfield. 2+ invulnerable save until the first failed save at which point it ceases to work.
Drones
No longer bought as Wargear. They are bought as a unit and then divided as you see fit at the start of the match. You can mix your drones when bought for the point cost needed. This caters for Drone Squadrons as an option.
Markerlight
One markerlight can fire the seekers off one model. Seekers replenish and are no longer one use items. Skyrays will only be able to fire one seeker per round.
Also...from BoLS (April 1st - so may just be a wind up!)
1. Kroot HQ is in the works!
2. Kroot to get own transport (Devilfish will no longer be able to transport Kroot)
3. Kroot will get light armor saves (6+)
4. Kroot shaper will allow for the unit to have a special genetic trait.
5. Firewarrior carbine to get a grenade launcher (either explosive or EMP)
6. Vespids reworked and getting a Heavy unit
7. Firewarrior BS increased to 4
8.Crisis suits will get “hit and run” ability
9. Various changes to Firewarrior equipment
10. Various changes to Crisis suit equipment
11. New Prototypes
12. 4th edition prototypes now “standard” equipment for all suits
13. All HQ’s can act as a commander
14. New type of “Heavy” Battlesuit (new prototype of the Broadside)
15. Stealth suits will be changed to a advanced scout unit similar to Pathfinders
16. Pathfinders will be changed to act as a type of Tau Commando infantry
Now on to Ghost's rumours, which primarily cover new non-Tau models. Because there's so many, I've split them up and tried to connect the dots between the hints and match them against each other - my thoughts and interpretations are in italics
Quote
General Codex rumours
Not the next book, but probably after Black Templars
Author may be Phil Kelly
Army has 4 basic HQs and 3 basic troop choices excluding changes made by any Special Characters if there are any
Return of 4 old SC, plus 2-4 new ones
No Court of the Archon/henchmen type mixed units
New Tau models
New SC "Iceheart"
Crisis suits have been completely redesigned (not just recut sprues and ankle tweaks), less boxy and including a 'morphic weapon'
New sniper suit
Shas'O get a stealth armour option, may be an experimental suit like Shadowsuns, or the experimental suit might be a third option
Allies and Auxiliaries
Vespids get two slots (unknown if this is an additional two, or two overall). Kroot get an additional unit
No Knarloc riders,though perhaps something big (new WFB monster-szied) for the Kroot
Maybe minor psychic powers for Shapers or Shaper like character this is something Ghost has heard from other people and not stated directly
Demiurg have 1 HQ, 1 troop and maybe 1 else. Presumably the Elite choice mentioned elsewhere
Demiurg ancients are a thing Probably HQ, but could also be the elite unit
Possible Demiurg elite choice
Demiurg are "equal to banshees without the scream" so presumably anti-armour close combat, or at least have that as an option. This might also be elite unit rather than the troop one, or be a unit that does both - like a kit that would let you make Boyz and Ard Boyz (or Dwarfs and Longbeards). An elite unit, but being an upgrade to a troop slot to keep out the way of the battlesuits
Demiurg and one other new race join the army, the latter being something bizarre or at least something we've not seen before.
No Gue'vesa unit or models
No Nicassar
Updates!
4 box sets, and 4 blisters in wave 1
Demiurg plastic box
Battlesuit plastic box
Vespid plastic box(?)
Assault transport(?)
Demiurg ancient blister
New Tau SC blister
Demiurg are apparently a lot less Dwarfish than the initial concepts, instead being more like little stone golems (Ozruk from WoW was mentioned)
As a tongue in cheek nod to the fate of the squats, there is a named Demiurg (who may or may not make it as a SC) who survived fighting Tyranids and personally killed a large monster by drilling his way out after being "Swallowed up by the 'Nids"
This Demiurg is aware that the Ethereals have some kind of power over the Tau (maybe other races too) but not the Demiurg, who have presumably signed up for political reasons and of their own free will
Stealth suit mechanics may change
Kroot fieldcraft rule - presumably switched to Stealth and Infiltrate USR
New Heavy support platform. Basically immobile deep striked! heavy weapon and crew. Rail and Ion Cannon, and missile launcher are all obvious options here, but nothing solid with the rumor. Assault Skimmer. Something between size of piranha and hammerhead, fast skimmer open topped, assault on disembark.
Update: Yes, its assault after a flat out move, and has the "drop troops along path" option similar to the storm raven. its supposedly a dedicated transport option for one new unit. (I dont place faith in this last bit, its very rare in current GW systems to see a vehicle kit limited to one unit/role...if GW is trying to sell them they will be available to more than one unit, or be a separate entry unto itself.)
New Drop ship. Not the FW one, but something new. Holds a boatload of fire warriors, or a few battle suits.
New battle suits. Not sure if these are the "next gen" suits or just heavy suits redone with out metal bits.
Also Cypher on Heresy compiled a round-up of the Tau rumours as of April this year
Penciled in release date of August 2011
All current metal sets to be plastic (Pathfinders, Krootox, Vespids). New plastics are completed for Crisis Suits, Stingwings and Pathfinders.
Plastic Barracuda as well as a new unit choice, which will be a new alien race (insert your fantasy here).
Battle Suits - plug and play system. Essentially streamlined. Pick two guns and a skill or two skills and a gun. New models with interchangeable arms similar to Killa Kans?
Rule Changes
HQ and Troops
HQ choices are used to unlock units for troops, so a commander in a Crisis Suit unlocks Crisis Suits as troops, an Etheral unlocks Fire Warriors, Shaper unlocks Kroot.
Crisis Suits
Mostly same stats but now 3 wounds, come with every gun option and you can choose what weapon systems you fire every round. Max squad size x 5
Broadsides
Can take Network Markerlights instead of the missiles on their arms
Hammerhead Railgun
Draws a line across the table hitting everything under it. Multiple penetration through vehicles, only stopped by a glancing hit.
Shield Generator
Only team leaders can take a shield generator. The shield generator functions exactly like the DE Shadowfield. 2+ invulnerable save until the first failed save at which point it ceases to work.
Drones
No longer bought as Wargear. They are bought as a unit and then divided as you see fit at the start of the match. You can mix your drones when bought for the point cost needed. This caters for Drone Squadrons as an option.
Markerlight
One markerlight can fire the seekers off one model. Seekers replenish and are no longer one use items. Skyrays will only be able to fire one seeker per round.
Also...from BoLS (April 1st - so may just be a wind up!)
1. Kroot HQ is in the works!
2. Kroot to get own transport (Devilfish will no longer be able to transport Kroot)
3. Kroot will get light armor saves (6+)
4. Kroot shaper will allow for the unit to have a special genetic trait.
5. Firewarrior carbine to get a grenade launcher (either explosive or EMP)
6. Vespids reworked and getting a Heavy unit
7. Firewarrior BS increased to 4
8.Crisis suits will get “hit and run” ability
9. Various changes to Firewarrior equipment
10. Various changes to Crisis suit equipment
11. New Prototypes
12. 4th edition prototypes now “standard” equipment for all suits
13. All HQ’s can act as a commander
14. New type of “Heavy” Battlesuit (new prototype of the Broadside)
15. Stealth suits will be changed to a advanced scout unit similar to Pathfinders
16. Pathfinders will be changed to act as a type of Tau Commando infantry
Now on to Ghost's rumours, which primarily cover new non-Tau models. Because there's so many, I've split them up and tried to connect the dots between the hints and match them against each other - my thoughts and interpretations are in italics
Quote
General Codex rumours
Not the next book, but probably after Black Templars
Author may be Phil Kelly
Army has 4 basic HQs and 3 basic troop choices excluding changes made by any Special Characters if there are any
Return of 4 old SC, plus 2-4 new ones
No Court of the Archon/henchmen type mixed units
New Tau models
New SC "Iceheart"
Crisis suits have been completely redesigned (not just recut sprues and ankle tweaks), less boxy and including a 'morphic weapon'
New sniper suit
Shas'O get a stealth armour option, may be an experimental suit like Shadowsuns, or the experimental suit might be a third option
Allies and Auxiliaries
Vespids get two slots (unknown if this is an additional two, or two overall). Kroot get an additional unit
No Knarloc riders,though perhaps something big (new WFB monster-szied) for the Kroot
Maybe minor psychic powers for Shapers or Shaper like character this is something Ghost has heard from other people and not stated directly
Demiurg have 1 HQ, 1 troop and maybe 1 else. Presumably the Elite choice mentioned elsewhere
Demiurg ancients are a thing Probably HQ, but could also be the elite unit
Possible Demiurg elite choice
Demiurg are "equal to banshees without the scream" so presumably anti-armour close combat, or at least have that as an option. This might also be elite unit rather than the troop one, or be a unit that does both - like a kit that would let you make Boyz and Ard Boyz (or Dwarfs and Longbeards). An elite unit, but being an upgrade to a troop slot to keep out the way of the battlesuits
Demiurg and one other new race join the army, the latter being something bizarre or at least something we've not seen before.
No Gue'vesa unit or models
No Nicassar
Updates!
4 box sets, and 4 blisters in wave 1
Demiurg plastic box
Battlesuit plastic box
Vespid plastic box(?)
Assault transport(?)
Demiurg ancient blister
New Tau SC blister
Demiurg are apparently a lot less Dwarfish than the initial concepts, instead being more like little stone golems (Ozruk from WoW was mentioned)
As a tongue in cheek nod to the fate of the squats, there is a named Demiurg (who may or may not make it as a SC) who survived fighting Tyranids and personally killed a large monster by drilling his way out after being "Swallowed up by the 'Nids"
This Demiurg is aware that the Ethereals have some kind of power over the Tau (maybe other races too) but not the Demiurg, who have presumably signed up for political reasons and of their own free will
Stealth suit mechanics may change
Kroot fieldcraft rule - presumably switched to Stealth and Infiltrate USR